Hygienic Tissue Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A hygienic tissue dispenser includes an enclosure, a lid, and a spool to allow a hygienic tissue paper to be stored and dispensed. The lid is hingedly connected to the enclosure at a pivot edge, opposite a primary side of the enclosure. At a free edge of the lid is a clamping projection, which includes a bottom edge with serrations. The primary side has a corresponding opening edge and depression therein, also with serrations. The hygienic tissue paper is secured about a spool, the latter of which is rotatably and detachably mounted to the interior of the enclosure via a first spool receptacle and a second spool receptacle. The clamping projection of the lid can be shut upon a loose portion of the hygienic tissue paper, securing it between the bottom edge and the opening edge. A use can then tear the hygienic tissue paper at the desired length.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/781,431 filed on Mar. 14, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hygienic tissue dispensing container that stores and protects hygienic tissues from undesirable particles and allows the hygienic tissue to be cut at a desired length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Facial tissues have a wide variety of applications including the collection of nasal mucus, the treatment and cleaning of minor wounds, and the cleaning of the face and hands. Some variants of facial tissue are treated with softeners, lotions, and/or scents. Additional variants of facial tissue have antimicrobial properties to hinder the spread of pathogens. While facial tissues are preferred for the previously discussed applications, the most common substitute in the absence of proper facial tissues is bathroom tissue. Because facial tissues are often used on and around the eyes, mouth, and nose, they are often agents for delivering airborne allergens. This is problematic as facial tissues and their bathroom tissue substitutes are often exposed to air when not in use. Additionally, there is no convenient means of storing bathroom tissue that has been repurposed as facial tissue. Storage is generally limited to the bathroom tissue roll holders found in bathrooms. The present invention seeks to provide a means of storing bathroom tissue in virtually any location while protecting the bathroom tissue from airborne allergens.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means of storing bathroom tissue within a dispenser in virtually any location while protecting the bathroom tissue from airborne allergens. The present invention eliminates the need to separately purchase both bathroom and facial tissue as well. The exterior of the present invention may be cosmetically customized in order to better assimilate with the dispenser's ambient surroundings. Household allergens including dust, dirt, pollen, and hairspray can come into contact with a person's eyes, mouth, and nose. Because the present invention closes a bathroom tissue roll from the exterior environment, allergens cannot accumulate on the bathroom tissue when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of the present invention in an open configuration with a spool and a hygienic tissue paper omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a left perspective view of the present invention in the open configuration with the spool and the hygienic tissue paper omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention with the lid in the open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a right view of the present invention with the lid in the open configuration.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention with the lid in the open configuration.

FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of the present invention with the spool, hygienic tissue paper, and lid omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention with the spool, hygienic tissue paper, and lid omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a right perspective view of the present invention with the lid omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a right perspective view of the present invention in a closed configuration.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a hygienic tissue dispenser for holding bathroom tissue rolls while protecting the rolls from airborne particles, maintaining a sanitary state and allowing the tissue rolls to be used outside the bathroom. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a enclosure 1, a lid 2, and a spool 3. The lid 2, which is hingedly connected to the enclosure 1, can be used to seal the container in order to prevent particles from entering the enclosure 1, resulting in the creation of a sanitary chamber within the container. The spool 3 supports a tissue roll and allows said tissue roll to be unfurled through the primary side 121 via rotation about the spool 3. For the purpose of the present invention the tissue roll can by any hygienic tissue paper 4, with the latter term being used for the rest of the application.

The enclosure 1 itself comprises a base 11 and a lateral portion 12, forming the bottom and sides of the hygienic tissue dispenser as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The lateral portion 12 is perimetrically connected to the base 11 such that the base 11 has a number of sides equal to that of the lateral portion 12. The lateral portion 12 itself comprises a primary side 121 which is provided to allow for dispensing of stored hygienic tissue paper 4. The lateral portion 12 also comprises a first spool receptacle 123 and a second spool receptacle 124 which serve as mounting points for the spool 3. The base 11 and lateral portion 12 thus are able to contain hygienic tissue paper 4 and serve as connection points and supporting surfaces for the other components of the present invention.

Supporting the tissue dispensing capability, the primary side 121 comprises an opening edge 122 which serves as the top edge of the primary side 121. The opening edge 122 is positioned opposite the base 11 across the primary side 121 in order to allow it to interact with lid 2. The opening edge 122 comprises a depression 125 which traverses into the opening edge 122 opposite the base 11. Effectively, the depression 125 removes a portion of the primary side 121 which receives a corresponding component of the lid 2, as later described in greater detail. By receiving the corresponding component of the lid 2, the depression 125 is used to clamp down on a loose portion 41 of hygienic tissue paper 4, allowing a user to tear the hygienic tissue paper 4 at a desired length. The opening edge 122 and depression 125 are illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3 and FIG. 5-FIG. 8.

The first spool receptacle 123 (shown in FIG. 1) and the second spool receptacle 124 (shown in FIG. 2) are each positioned interior to the lateral portion 12. Additionally, the first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124 are each integrated into the lateral portion 12, effectively becoming surface features of the interior of the lateral portion 12. The first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124 are provided to secure opposite ends of the spool 3, and as such are aligned with each other through an interior volume of the lateral portion 12. Their positioning is further defined as the first spool receptacle 123 being positioned opposite the second spool receptacle 124 around the lateral portion 12. The first spool receptacle 123 and second spool receptacle 124 are also positioned to be collinear with each other in order to accommodate an elongated rigid body such as the spool 3. The first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124 secure the spool 3 of the present invention, which in turn enables dispensing of a user-provided hygienic tissue paper 4.

The lateral portion 12 also comprises a first guiding ramp 126 and a second guiding ramp 127, which help place the spool 3 into the enclosure 1 in such a way that it becomes secured to the enclosure 1. In order to help place the spool 3, the first guiding ramp 126 and the second guiding ramp 127 are mounted interior to the lateral portion 12. Since the guiding ramps are provided to help the spool 3 attach to the spool receptacles, the first guiding ramp 126 and the second guiding ramp 127 are positioned opposite each other around the lateral portion 12, atop their respective receptacles. The first guiding ramp 126 is positioned adjacent to the first spool receptacle 123 opposite the base 11 while the second guiding ramp 127 is positioned adjacent to the second spool receptacle 124 opposite the base 11. These guiding ramps help align the spool 3 with the first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124, making insertion and removal of the spool 3 easier. The guiding ramps are best illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The components as described thus far interact with the lid 2 and the spool 3 to enable dispensing and storage of a user-provided hygienic tissue paper 4 by means of the present invention; the lid 2 interacts with the enclosure 1 to both provide a sealed sanitary environment and clamp down on a loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4, while the spool 3 supports hygienic tissue paper 4 within the enclosure 1.

The lid 2 comprises a pivot edge 21 and a free edge 22 and can be used to cover or reveal the interior volume of the enclosure 1. The free edge 22 comprises a clamping projection 221 which is positioned adjacent to the primary side 121. The lid 2 is hingedly connected to the lateral portion 12 along the pivot edge 21, the latter of which defines a connecting portion of the lid 2. More specifically, the pivot edge 21 is hingedly connected to the lateral portion 12 of the enclosure 1; as a result, the lid 2 can be rotated between an open and closed configuration which correspondingly reveal or cover the interior volume of the enclosure 1. Since the lid 2 is positioned atop the base 11, the pivot edge 21 is thus positioned adjacent to the lateral portion 12 opposite the base 11. The pivot edge 21 position is further defined as being opposite the primary side 121 around the lateral surface, cooperating with the clamping projection 221 of the free end being positioned adjacent to the primary side 121. The pivot edge 21 is additionally positioned parallel to the primary side 121 of the enclosure 1, such that the free end aligns with the primary side 121 in a closed configuration. The pivot edge 21, in combination with the hinged connection, allows the lid 2 to be raised and lowered. As a result, a user is able to pull the loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4 to a desired length and then clamp down on it with the lid 2 and tear free a section of the hygienic tissue paper 4. The components of the lid 2 are best depicted in FIG. 3-FIG. 5.

The aforementioned clamping projection 221 comprises a bottom edge 222 that engages with the opening edge 122 of the depression 125 of the primary side 121. When the lid 2 is closed, the bottom edge 222 is aligned with and adjacent to the opening edge 122. Thus, in this closed configuration, the clamping projection 221 of the lid 2 is received by the depression 125 of the primary side 121. This configuration effectively uses the clamping projection 221 and depression 125 as jaws that clamp down on the loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4. Assisting with this clamping action, the opening edge 122 is serrated along the depression 125 while the bottom edge 222 is serrated along the clamping projection 221. These serrations are interspersed with each other in the closed configuration and provide a more secure clamping action as compared to non-serrated edges.

The spool 3, which supports the hygienic tissue paper 4, is positioned between the first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124 in a manner that allows a loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4 to be pulled over the depression 125 of the primary side 121 and cut at a desired length. The spool 3 is broadly described as being rotatably and detachably mounted to the interior of the enclosure 1 and as comprising a first end 31, a second end 32, and a rotational axis. The first end 31 of the spool 3 and the second end 32 of the spool 3, which are positioned opposite each other along the spool 3, are placed into a corresponding receptacle; the first end 31 is positioned into the first spool receptacle 123 while the second end 32 is positioned into the second spool receptacle 124. Resultantly, the spool 3 is secured to the enclosure 1 by means of the first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124. The spool 3 is configured to be parallel to the pivot edge 21 of the lid 2, which means the spool 3 is also parallel to the primary side 121 by the transitive property. The rotational axis of the spool 3, about which the spool 3 is concentric, is perpendicular to the both the first spool receptacle 123 and the second spool receptacle 124. Additionally, the rotational axis traverses through both the first spool receptacle 123 and second spool receptacle 124. This positioning allows the hygienic tissue paper 4 to be unfurled and dispensed in a direction which is towards and past the primary side 121, being unfurled out of the enclosure 1 and over the opening edge 122. The spool 3 is spring-loaded and telescopic to make insertion and removal easier; by compressing the spool 3 it can be aligned with the spool receptacles and then allowed to uncompress with each end traversing into the respective receptacle. Thus the spool 3 enables the present invention to store hygienic tissue paper 4 in a configuration that also allows for the loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4 to be dispensed over the primary side 121. The spool 3 and its relative positioning is illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The present invention is provided for storage and dispensing of hygienic tissue paper 4, with its components and configurations being combined to support that function. Operation of the present invention is as follows. First, a user lifts the lid 2 from a closed configuration to an open configuration to gain access to the interior volume including spool 3 and hygienic tissue paper 4. The lid 2 is capable of being raised and lowered thanks to its hinged connection and specific positioning as described earlier.

If hygienic tissue paper 4 is not present or needs to be replaced, the spool 3 is easily removed from the spool receptacles thanks to its spring-loaded and telescoping construction. By compressing the spool 3 its first end 31 and second end 32 are moved out of their respective first spool receptacle 123 and second pool receptacle, allowing a user to remove the spool 3 from the interior volume of the enclosure 1. The user can then place hygienic tissue paper 4 over the spool 3, with the hygienic tissue paper 4 being positioned concentric to and around the spool 3. The spool 3 is then placed back in the interior volume, where it is compressed, aligned with the first spool receptacle 123 and second spool receptacle 124, and then allowed to return to an equilibrium state in which the first end 31 is positioned into the first spool receptacle 123 and the second end 32 is positioned into the second spool receptacle 124. The first guiding ramp 126 and the second guiding ramp 127 help with spool 3 placement; not only do the guiding ramps help align the spool 3 with the spool receptacles, they also impart a force on each end of the spool 3 as it is moved into the interior volume. This force causes the spool 3 to compress and allows a user to allocate their full attention on aligning the spool 3, rather than trying to hold the spool 3 in a compressed state while also aligning it with and moving it towards the spool 3 receptacles.

If the hygienic tissue paper 4 is already present, or after the hygienic tissue paper 4 has been replaced, a user can then pull a loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4 over the depression 125 of the primary side 121 until a desired length of the hygienic tissue paper 4 is extended outside the enclosure 1. Once at the desired length, the user then proceeds to lower and close the lid 2, such that the loose portion 41 of the hygienic tissue paper 4 is clamped between the clamping projection 221 and the depression 125. The user can then pull the loose portion 41, cutting it at the desired length thanks to the serrations of the opening edge 122 and the bottom edge 222. The cut hygienic tissue paper 4 can then be used for any number of purposes beyond the originally intended anal and genital cleansing, such as blowing one's nose, drying tears, absorbing small liquid spills, and indeed any application imagined by the user. FIG. 8 demonstrates the hygienic tissue paper 4 positioned inside the enclosure while FIG. 9 shows the present invention in a closed configuration.

In the preferred embodiment the container is rectangularly shaped, comprising a first side (i.e. the primary side 121), a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, with the base 11 likewise being rectangular. In other embodiments the lateral portion 12 can comprise any number of faces beyond the primary side 121; even two faces is possible, with the second face simply being arc-shaped. Such configurations are suitable as long as they allow the hygienic tissue paper 4 to secured about the spool 3 and unfurled over the primary side 121.

Preferably, at least one gripping piece is provided to make raising and lowering the lid 2 easier. In the preferred embodiment the gripping piece is a lip 23 which is adjacently connected along the free edge 22 of the lid 2. The lip 23 serves as a subtle gripping piece that, in a closed configuration, hangs over the lateral portion 12 adjacent to the depression 125 and which can easily be grasped to raise or lower the lid 2. In another embodiment the gripping piece is a handle which is externally mounted to the lid 2 exterior. The handle provides an easily grasped fixture for easier operation of the present invention. Further embodiments may comprise any combination of these and other gripping pieces. In one embodiment, the gripping piece may even be omitted entirely, perhaps improving aesthetics in return for a slight decrease in ease of use.

Manufacture of the present invention can be altered in several ways without impairing the components, configurations, and resulting functions. Preferably, the enclosure 1 and the lid 2 are individually molded separate from each other. To provide a pleasing visual appearance, the enclosure 1 and lid 2 may be made from or decorated with a variety of materials and patterns, including but not limited to stone, camouflage, and simple solid 2 colors. These decorations can help increase the appeal of the present invention to different demographics.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hygienic tissue dispenser comprises: an enclosure; a lid; a spool; the enclosure comprises a base and a lateral portion; the lateral portion comprises a primary side; the lid comprises a pivot edge and a free edge; the free edge comprises a clamping projection; the lateral portion being perimetrically connected to the base; the lid being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the lid being hingedly connected to the lateral portion along the pivot edge; the pivot edge of the lid being parallel with the primary side of the enclosure; the clamping projection being positioned adjacent to the primary side; and the spool being rotatably and detachably mounted interior to the enclosure.
 2. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the primary side comprises an opening edge; the opening edge comprises a depression; the clamping projection comprises a bottom edge; the opening edge being positioned opposite the base across the primary side; the depression traversing into the opening edge towards the base; and the opening edge being aligned with the bottom edge, wherein the clamping projection is received by the depression and a loose portion of a hygienic tissue paper is clamped between the clamping projection and the depression.
 3. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the bottom edge and the opening edge each being serrated, wherein serrations of the bottom edge are interspersed with serrations of the opening edge.
 4. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the pivot edge being hingedly connected to the lateral portion; the pivot edge being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the pivot edge being positioned opposite the primary side around the lateral portion; and the pivot edge being parallel with the spool.
 5. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the lateral portion further comprises a first spool receptacle and a second spool receptacle; the first spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the spool being positioned between the first spool receptacle and the second-spool receiving; the first spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being positioned opposite each other around the lateral portion; and the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being collinear with each other.
 6. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 5 comprises: the lateral portion further comprises a first guiding ramp and a second guiding ramp; the first guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the second guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the first guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the first spool receptacle opposite the base; and the second guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the second spool receptacle opposite the base.
 7. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 5 comprises: the spool comprises a first end and a second end; the first end being positioned into the first spool receptacle; the second end being positioned into the second spool receptacle; and the spool being spring-loaded and telescopic.
 8. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a lip; and the lip being adjacently connected along the free edge of the lid.
 9. A hygienic tissue dispenser comprises: an enclosure; a lid; a spool; the enclosure comprises a base and a lateral portion; the lateral portion comprises a primary side, a first spool receptacle, and a second spool receptacle; the primary side comprises an opening edge; the lid comprises a pivot edge and a free edge; the free edge comprises a clamping projection; the clamping projection comprises a bottom edge; the lateral portion being perimetrically connected to the base; the lid being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the lid being hingedly connected to the lateral portion along the pivot edge; the pivot edge of the lid being parallel with the primary side of the enclosure; the clamping projection being positioned adjacent to the primary side; the spool being rotatably and detachably mounted interior to the enclosure; the spool being positioned between the first spool receptacle and the second-spool receiving; and the opening edge being aligned with the bottom edge, wherein the clamping projection is received by the depression and a loose portion of a hygienic tissue paper is clamped between the clamping projection and the depression.
 10. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the opening edge comprises a depression; the opening edge being positioned opposite the base across the primary side; the depression traversing into the opening edge towards the base; and the bottom edge and the opening edge each being serrated, wherein serrations of the bottom edge are interspersed with serrations of the opening edge.
 11. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the pivot edge being hingedly connected to the lateral portion; the pivot edge being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the pivot edge being positioned opposite the primary side around the lateral portion; and the pivot edge being parallel with the spool.
 12. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the lateral portion further comprises a first guiding ramp and a second guiding ramp; the spool comprises a first end and a second end; the first spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being positioned opposite each other around the lateral portion; and the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being collinear with each other.
 13. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the first guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the second guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the first guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the first spool receptacle opposite the base; and the second guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the second spool receptacle opposite the base.
 14. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the first end being positioned into the first spool receptacle; the second end being positioned into the second spool receptacle; and the spool being spring-loaded and telescopic.
 15. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 9 comprises: a lip; and the lip being adjacently connected along the free edge of the lid.
 16. A hygienic tissue dispenser comprises: an enclosure; a lid; a spool; the enclosure comprises a base and a lateral portion; the lateral portion comprises a primary side, a first spool receptacle, and a second spool receptacle, a first guiding ramp, and a second guiding ramp; the primary side comprises an opening edge; the opening edge comprises a depression; the lid comprises a pivot edge and a free edge; the free edge comprises a clamping projection; the clamping projection comprises a bottom edge; the spool comprises a first end and a second end; the lateral portion being perimetrically connected to the base; the lid being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the lid being hingedly connected to the lateral portion along the pivot edge; the pivot edge of the lid being parallel with the primary side of the enclosure; the clamping projection being positioned adjacent to the primary side; the spool being rotatably and detachably mounted interior to the enclosure; the spool being positioned between the first spool receptacle and the second-spool receiving; and the opening edge being aligned with the bottom edge, wherein the clamping projection is received by the depression and a loose portion of a hygienic tissue paper is clamped between the clamping projection and the depression.
 17. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the opening edge being positioned opposite the base across the primary side; the depression traversing into the opening edge towards the base; and the bottom edge and the opening edge each being serrated, wherein serrations of the bottom edge are interspersed with serrations of the opening edge.
 18. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the pivot edge being hingedly connected to the lateral portion; the pivot edge being positioned adjacent to the lateral portion opposite the base; the pivot edge being positioned opposite the primary side around the lateral portion; and the pivot edge being parallel with the spool.
 19. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the first spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being positioned interior to the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the second spool receptacle being integrated into the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being positioned opposite each other around the lateral portion; the first spool receptacle and the second spool receptacle being collinear with each other; the first guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the second guiding ramp being mounted interior to the lateral portion; the first guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the first spool receptacle opposite the base; the second guiding ramp being positioned adjacent to the second spool receptacle opposite the base; the first end being positioned into the first spool receptacle; the second end being positioned into the second spool receptacle; and the spool being spring-loaded and telescopic.
 20. The hygienic tissue dispenser as claimed in claim 16 comprises: a lip; and the lip being adjacently connected along the free edge of the lid. 